Danger, Danger, Mr. Stranger

#DDMS27

#DDMS27

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FEUILLE

Five years ago

STROBELIGHTS.

Wild lights that change their hue from red, to violet, to blue, to pink—then red again. A loud crowd screaming their lungs out, bathing in sweat. The spotlight burns on my skin. A man gives me a kiss. The crowd goes wild.

I opened my eyes. It's that same dream again. Weird. My arms stretched themselves outwards as I sat up in the bed, yawning. Lately, I've been having the same dreams.

It's weird though, because they feel too real . . . too vivid.

Nasa sikretong kuwarto pa rin ako ng Villa Vouganville, nakikibahay sa mansyon nina Fifteen at Professor. Nakikipamilya.

While we were having breakfast, I noticed that Xildius was in a serious mode. Tila ba malalim ang iniisip niya.

"Uh, Professor?" Fift called to him. "Naisip ko lang. Baka masiyadong nakukulong dito sa mansyon si Feuille. What if ilabas ko siya? Itatago ko siyang maigi. Puwede siyang magsuot ng shades o kaya wig."

"That will just draw more attention to her," answered the professor, yet his second sentence was a surprise to our ears. "But that's a good idea. Just drop the shades, make her wear a natural-looking wig and some spectacles."

Kuminang ang mga mata ko sa tuwa. Hindi ako makapaniwala na pumayag si Xildius. Makakalabas na 'ko na parang ordinaryong tao!

Naisip ko agad ang mga gusto kong gawin. Gusto ko sanang bisitahin ang isa sa mga naging kaibigan ko sa isang exclusive online program na si Jervie. Siya lamang ang isa sa mga puwede kong mapagkatiwalaan.

"But no visiting friends," agad na paalala ng propesor na tila ba nababasa ang nasa isipan ko. "Don't contact or create any connection to anyone."

Hmph. Napakasungit naman.

I'm still thankful he's allowing me to go out now, though.

"Pero bakit bigla kang napapayag?" I raised. "Ayaw mong umaalis ako, 'di ba? Nagagalit ka pa kapag tumatakas ako minsan."

I wasn't anywhere ready for his answer. "Because staying here in the villa . . . might actually be more dangerous."

The professor's eyes carried a hint of worry as he looked straight at me. "I noticed some suspicious behavior from our recent clients."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Fift sa sinabi ng propesor, parehas naguguluhan ang aming ekspresyon.

"I believe . . . some of them aren't actually clients—but spies that the Guivellnovas have sent," he stated. "They've been closely observing the villa when they visit."

Mabagal na pagtango ang naging tugon ko. "I understand, Professor."

Hindi ko akalain na kahit dito mismo sa Villa Vouganville ay magiging mapanganib na rin.

***

"HUWAG kang mag-alala!" bungad sa 'kin ni Fift nang samahan niya ako sa mall, hawak-hawak ang kamay ko. "Mag-e-enjoy tayo today!"

I gave her a short smile. I know she's just trying to help ease my worries.

We were in some mall that not a lot of people go to. Tulad ng napag-usapan ay nakasuot ako ng mahabang wig at pares ng salamin sa mata. I'm still wearing Fifteen's clothes. We're both in thin-strap Sunday dresses. Hers was white and floral with cute pink roses, mine was black with mini little polka dots.